Nutcracker



Jan. 17,419.28. 1,656,437

` R. H. LAKE NUTCRACKER Filed March 2. 1927 Inventor ,7E Mja/fe,

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Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

jf UNITED STATES RALPH HEAMANLAKE, OIF PUTNAM, TEXAS.`

NU'rcnAoKnR.

Application led March 2, 1927. Serial No. 172,077.

The present invention relates to nut crackers and has for its principal object to provide a tool which comprises a pair of pivoted cross levers, the pivoted ends thereof being so constructed as to provide a pair ofjcomplementary jaws whose inner edges are sharpened and so shaped as to facilitate the cracking of the hard shell of a nut and severing the kernels into halves without crushing the meat of the nuts.

Anotherimportant object of the invention is to provide a nut cracker of the above mentioned character wherein the outer ends of the complementarypivoted jaws may be utilized for the purpose of breaking up and removing the shells from each half section of the nut.

A still further object is to provide a nut cracker of the above-mentioned character which is simple in its construction and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

Other ob'ects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed tok designate like parts throughout the same;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the nut cracker embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a top plan view and Figure 4 is a similar view showing a modiiication of the jaw structure, more particularly the cutting edges thereof.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally my i improved nut cracker, the same comprising a pair of cross levers 2 and 3 which are twisted as at el adjacent their upper ends and the upper end portions 5 and 6 of the levers 2 and 3 respectively intersect and are pivotally connected together as at 7. The upper end portions 5 and 6 of the levers 2 and 3 are disposed at right angles with respect to the major portion of the levers.

This is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. Theupper ends are further so constructed as to rovide complementary jaws 8 and 9 and t e inner opposed edges of these jaws are curved as illustrated more clearly at l0 in Figure 3, the inner opposed.

to facilitate the ready and easy splitting or breaking of the shell "and the cutting of the kernel or meat of the nut into half sections.

As is also more clearly illustrated in the drawing, the complementary jaws 8 4and 9 are disposed laterally andgat substantially right angles to the upper end portions 5 and 6 and the disposition of Ithe jawsinthis manner will permit the nut cracker to` be` more `eiiiciently handled when in use.` The inner opposed edges of the upper ends I5 and 6 point directly above the pivot 7 and are also curved as illustrated 4at 11 in `Figure 2, thus adding to the lightness of theimplenient.v l

"The lower ends of the fiat levers are curved inwardly towards each other and these levers provide suitable handles for opening and closing the complementary coacting jaws 8 and 9 as is readily obvious from the structure shown in the accompanying drawing In Figure 4 of the drawing, thereis shown a 'modification of the complementary jaws 8 and 9 wherein the cutting edges of the jaws are of angular configuration so that when the jaws are closed, a substantially diamondshaped opening between the jaws will be formed.

(lo-acting notches 12 and 13 are formed in the outer ends of the jaws 8 and 9 respectively and the purpose thereof will be hereinafter more fully explained. v

In use, the implement is more particularly adapted for cracking pecans and the nut is placed between the jaws with the pointed ends thereof disposed within a portion of the opening formed by the curved edges 10 and by grasping the levers 2 and 3 and forcing the same together, the cutting edges 10 will split the shell and cut through the kernel of the nut thus dividing the nut into two half sections.

Each half section is then held in the hand of thek person using the device so that the cooperating notches 12 and 18 will engage the edge of the shell and by moving the implement downwardly, the shell will be separated from the meat of the nut and thereby will be entirely removed without resulting in the meat of the nut being crushed.

The provision of a nut cracker of the above mentioned character will not only save Vconsiderable time and labor in cracking the but will perform such an operation i'a'v'itli.`

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ont crushing the meat which is one of the ohjections jvith the use of the type of nuteraekers new generally on the market.

Thilo I have shown the preferred embodi-` ment of my invention, it is to he iniderstood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may he resorted to Without departingr from the spirit or sacrieing any ot' the advantages" ofthe appended Claims.

1. A Vnut-craeker of the elass described Comprising a pair of pivoted 'cross leversa pair of eolaeting jaivs formed n'ithe. pivoted ends of the levers,` the other ends' of the levers providingr handles' for actuatingr the saine, theinner opposed edges ofthejaivs being sharpened whereby the`7nuts inay be divided into half sections;` the 'outerends of the jaivs hegvin'g' eon'ipl nentiy rrc't'eltfesff'onie'd therej 'iii for ieiiiovin half yends ofv the levers, `the other` ends ofthe'levers providing handles for actuatingr the same, .the inner opposed edges of the jaws being sharpened whereby the nuts muy be divided into half sections, the outer ends of the jaws having 00H1ji'lelneniial'y notches :formed therein for removing the shells 'from each half section, said complementary jaws heiner disposed at substantially right angles to the levers.` i

3. A nut-erzieher of the Glass `c leseribed comprisinf` si pair oi elongated fiat levers, the up )er ends thereof being twisted and "disii'osed at right `aiifles fvvith resjiect to the levers. a pivotpin extending through the twisted portions of `the levers at their point of intersectionila. pair of `eoniplernentary airs orined the ripper endsof the levers" and disposed at "right angles thereto, the` inner opposed edges of said jaws'ljeinl slllplld for splitting theshell and `dividing?"theniit into haltseetions, theother bends of the levers' providing'-ihendles fory aetiiating the saineY Iii testimony whereor` I affix :ny signature.

RALPH HEAMAN nains. 

